RATIONING OF FOOD

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 9

RATIONING OF FOOD

WARNING EMPHASISED PART OF NEW ZEALAND EQUAL SACRIFICE URGED “The announcement that the rationing of butter and bacon has been introduced in England emphasises the seriousness of the warning given by the deputation of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, which waited on the Minister of Finance and Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, on Thursday,” says an official statement issued by the union. Grave apprehension as to the possibility of primary production being maintained at its previous level was expressed by the deputation. “It now behoves every farmer in New Zealand who is producing these products to make his utmost efforts to produce more, and it behoves the Government to take effective steps to bring the cost of production of these commodities into line with their prices,” the statement continues. “Unless the Government takes the effective action referred to, the farmers of this country will not be able to carry out properly their duties to New Zealand and to the Empire. Unequal Sacrifice “The union is confident that notwithstanding the handicap under which the farmers, particularly the dairyfarmers, are working, they will loyally strive to produce to the utmost of their ability. “It should be emphasised also that the farming community is willto bear cheerfully its rightful share of any sacrifices which the war makes necessary. The farmers’ contention is, however, that up to the present these sacrifices are not being equally borne, and apart from the dairy-farmer, who is now expected to produce for the same price when costs are much higher, the case of the fruitgrower is the most glaring. Burden on Fruitgrowers “The fruitgrowers of New Zealand are compelled to make the extreme sacrifice of losing their overseas market in order that other producers of New Zealand may be able to ship their produce. This sacrifice on the part of the orchardists should be borne equally by the whole community, and they should not be asked to bear the whole of the loss. “We would reiterate that the farming community will at all times strive to produce the things in the quantities which the Old Country so urgently requires, but we feel that the policy of the Government should be altered, so that farmers may be able to perform that duty to the Empire which this emergency demands.”